SWAC concludes Spring Meetings

BIMINGHAM, Ala. - The 2016 Southwestern Athletic Conference Spring Meetings concluded Thursday at the Tutwiler Hotel located in the heart of downtown Birmingham. The annual event included meetings of the SWAC’s Council of Presidents and Chancellors, Athletics Directors, Senior Woman Administrators, Faculty Athletics Representatives, and Coordinator of Officials for each of the 18 governed sports.

The meetings started Tuesday with administrators discussing key components such as format scheduling, championship sites, and its continued partnership with the Air Force Reserve Celebration Bowl.

The SWAC’s Council of President and Chancellors approved a three-year extension for the football championship and basketball tournament to remain in Houston. Football will continue playing at NRG Stadium, and basketball will remain at the Toyota Center.

Starting in 2017, the basketball tournament will feature an eight team three-day layout with the quarterfinal rounds hosted on campus sites. This changes the previous 10-team, five-day tournament format.

The higher seeded teams will host a combined eight games (4 men; 4 women) leaving two days for travel and practice rounds. The tournament concludes with the semi-finals and championship round inside Houston’s Toyota Center. The format is outlined below.